Improvement in tobacco-sticks



M. McE. LEDFORD.

TOBACCO STICK.

No. 189,756. Patented April 17, 1877.

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3 ATTORNEYS,

"m PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()r'rrcev MILTON MGELROY LEDFOBD, OF ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOBACCO-STICKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,756, dated April 17, 1877 application filed October 14, 1876.

combe, and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Tobacco-Sticks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is a perspective view of my tobacco-stick.

This invention relates to tobacco sticks for holding tobacco leaves while they are being dried; and the nature of said invention consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter particularly set forth and claimed.

In the annexed drawingfA designates my improved tobacco-stick, which is constructed of any suitable material, but preferably of hard wood, and is an isosceles triangle in cross-section. Upon the ridge a, which forms the apex of this triangle the tobacco-stalks are pressed and held by a spring-rod, B, which is bound thereto by Wires 0 U at suitable intervals. Said rod is also secured to said stick at a point intermediate between said wires, by

means of staples c c, which confine the rod B in a recess, a, said recess being formed in the apex of thetriangular stick A.

Said stick may be of any length required. The number of wires 0 C may be increased as convenient.

In operation, the spring B is raised from the stick A, and the tobacco stalks are inserted between them, when the spring, being released, holds the said stalks firmly against the edge of the said stick. When held in this way, the ends of the stalks being compressed, the strength of the tobacco-leaves is retained better than if the said leaves were split. The stick above described is very cheap and light, and can be easily loaded and unloaded without tearing the leaves.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Tobacco-stick A, recessed at a, in combination with spring B, having bend b, and with wires 0 G and staples c a, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

MILTON MGELROY LEDFORD.

Witnesses:

W. N. OWNBEY, THos. S. CLAYTON. 

